Benefits of Bilingualism
Introduction
Many people have the capacity to learn a second language. Being bilingual offers greater sensitivity to language, more flexibility in thinking and a better ear for listening. It opens the door to other cultures and in a society where Racism and Intolerance of other cultures, children who speak two or more languages are equipped with a cultural capital that will ensure that they see themselves as having a contribution to make to their families, friends and community.
Irish-medium education allows children to become bilingual at an early age. By the age of four or five, our pupils fully comprehend all of the verbal communications in the classroom and indeed become fully conversant with their teachers. They take on board new terminology related to all of their subjects, be it in Mathematics, Science or Physical Education.
Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain’s pupils have been gifted with opportunities their parents did not have in the area we serve when they were growing up. Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain offers children a capability that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. At a very young age their bilingualism is already opening doors for them in our very diverse and ever-
changing city. Most of all, the Irish language gives our children a sense of who they are. They are proud Irish-speakers who have a strong sense of community. 
Benefits of Being Bilingual
Research indicates strongly that with bilingualism comes many benefits:
- cognitive benefits;
- curriculum advantages;
- cultural benefits;
- employment advantages;
- communication advantages; and
- appreciation and interest in other languages and cultures.
Cognitive benefits:
The bilingual people can have some specific advantages in thinking. They have two or more words for each idea and object. Hence, a bilingual person can develop a creative thinking and an ability to think more flexibly. The bilinguals are aware about which language should be spoken with which person in a particular situation. Therefore, they are more sensitive to the needs of the listener than the monolingual people. Being bilingual has a positive effect on intellectual growth. It enhances and enriches a person’s mental development. The latest research has proved that the bilinguals are better at IQ tests as compared to the monolinguals.
Character advantages:
Bilinguals are able to switch between different languages and talk to different people in various languages. It increases a sense of self-esteem. Being bilingual creates a powerful link in different people from different countries.
Curriculum benefits:
A bilingual education often offers better curriculum results. The bilinguals tend to show a higher performance in examinations and tests. It is associated with thinking benefits of bilingualism. Bilinguals find it quite easy to learn and speak three, four or more languages.
Communication advantages:
Bilinguals enjoy reading and writing in different languages. They can understand and appreciate literatures in various languages. It gives a deeper knowledge of different ideas and traditions. It helps improve the ways of thinking. The pleasures of reading poetry, novels and magazines as well as the enjoyment of writing to family and friends are doubled for bilinguals
.
Cultural advantages:
Bilingualism offers an access and exposure to different cultures. Knowledge of different languages offers a treasure of traditional and contemporary sayings, idioms, history and folk stories, music, literature and poetry in different cultures. Due to a wider cultural experience, there is a greater tolerance of differences in creeds and customs.
Employment benefits: Being bilingual offers potential employment benefits. It offers a wider choice of jobs in various fields. Irish speakers today are employed in the retail sector, transport, tourism, administration, secretarial work, public relations, marketing and sales, banking and accountancy, translation, law and teaching.
Identity Benefits: Children in Irish-medium schools promote Irishness, assist the succcess of their own culture and respect that of all others, act to support the eminence of their own language, support the advance of Irish, are not strangers to their own people, have a link between themselves and their past, rely only on their own language to express their identity, create conditions for Irish to live, wear a badge of their own unique and irreplacable identity and not that of colonialism, are by-products of parents' desires to live Irish lives and are what they speak - Irish.